Editors Note - This article was written in 2007, yet the convergence of plug-ins and solar power is still far from reality. Still, solar panels are making their way into many plug-in concepts; and hybrids like the Prius include a solar option. Unfortunately, solar powered plug-ins still seem as far from reality today as they did in 2007.
For EUR92,000 you can purchase the Venturi Astrolab solar electric hybrid vehicle according to BusinessWeekOnline.
However, at Wired's NextFest, Venturi executives claimed this price could be significantly lowered with economies of scale. More important, if Venturi could build such a vehicle in the States, they believe it could be much more cost-effective, although no final numbers were given.
The Venturi Astrolab can achieve a top speed of about 70 mph and its performance is "remarkably close to that of a petrol-engined vehicle".
While the two-seater can be fueled completely by the power of the sun, it also functions as a plug-in hybrid, so it can be fueled by standard electricity. According to Venturi, the Astrolab should achieve around 70 miles per charge - whether by sun, electricity, or any combination.
Sure this solar hybrid is expensive, but it clearly demonstrates what CAN be accomplished. Maybe the 'solar economy' makes more sense than the 'hydrogen economy'. Maybe the solar economy and the hydrogen economy are intrinsically linked?
Hopefully, Google will turn their interest of this vehicle into a partnership and help Venturi build these solar hybrids in California.
